None of us like to fail. It is the desire of most of us to be successful at whatever we do, but the truth is that no one can be successful 100% of the time.

Someone recently told me that she was afraid to take on a particular task because she was afraid she would fail. She said she didn’t want to disappoint those she loves or herself.

I don’t like to fail either, but I know we have many examples in the scriptures of those that failed but later succeeded. I think there are some lessons in those stories.

In the book of Joshua, we find the new leader of the Children of Israel enjoying the success of the destruction of Jericho. Joshua was famous, and the Lord was with him (Joshua 6:27).

After the defeat of Jericho, Joshua sent a small army of 3,000 men to fight against the city of Ai, but they were defeated. This was Joshua’s reaction. “Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!” (Joshua 7:7 ESV).

The reason for the defeat was sin in the camp. A man named Achan had taken things from Jericho after being told they were to destroy everything. Joshua had to find the disobedient, administer the punishment, and appease the Lord before the Children of Israel could find favor in God’s eyes.

Joshua failed in his efforts to take the small city of Ai, and he failed because of the sin of his people. His investigation exposed the culprit, punishment was administered, and Israel took the city for their own.

In Mark 3, we read about Jesus appointing the twelve disciples. They were appointed “so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” (Mark 3:14-15).

Here are twelve men who have been selected by the Lord to travel with Him, preach, and perform miracles. We can only imagine how they would have felt when they were told they would have this power.

One day a man came to Jesus and told Him that he had brought his son who was possessed with a spirit that caused him to be unable to speak. He told Jesus, “So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able” (Mark 9:18).

I feel certain the disciples felt sad, maybe even a little ridiculous, that they couldn’t perform the task they had been given to do. If you read the book of Acts, you’ll find them not only casting out demons but raising the dead and healing other infirmities. They failed at first, but then they succeeded.

In Matthew 26, we find Jesus on trial for his life. Peter was waiting in the courtyard outside the judgment hall. Three times he was approached and was accused of being with Jesus. Three times he denied it, even saying he did not know Jesus.

Then Jesus’ prediction came true. The rooster crowed, and Jesus turned to look at Peter. Peter could only remember the words of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times” (Matthew 26:75).

That same man stood on the day of Pentecost and proclaimed to the Jews, “…you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). He failed the Lord at His trial, but he succeeded in converting about 3,000.

When Paul was in prison and was freed by an angel sent from God, he went to the house of Mary. She is named as the mother of John Mark. They had gathered for the purpose of praying for the safety of Paul.

Later, John Mark was chosen to accompany Paul on a missionary journey. John served as an assistant (Acts 13:5). He was probably to Paul what Joshua was to Moses and Elisha to Elijah. The word for assistant or attendant is like the word for deacon (Pulpit Commentary).

Paul and his company sailed from Paphos and arrived in Pamphylia. John Mark, for some reason not explained, left the group and returned to Jerusalem. This later became a problem when Barnabas wanted to include John Mark on a return visit to the churches Paul had visited. “But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus” (Acts 15:37-39). 

John Mark somehow failed to support Paul and the other missionaries in their work. Maybe the work was too difficult. Maybe he didn’t like being an assistant. Maybe he was homesick. Scripture doesn’t tell us why he left, but his leaving kept Paul from taking him on another occasion.

Later, Paul changed his mind about John Mark. When Paul was writing to Timothy, he asked that John Mark be brought to him. “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). John Mark became successful as a minister.

All of these men failed at something. All of these men later succeeded. In fact, their failures probably contributed to their later success.

When we fail, we should look toward ways in which we can improve and become successful. With the Lord’s help, we can.

Sandra Oliver